Bonita Canyon PTA

Bonita Canyon welcomes Rainbow Rising Director Jacqueline Salazar. She is excited to be a part of the Bonita Canyon community and invites BC families to stop by and check out their wonderful onsite before and after school child care facility and program. Jacqueline replaces Alicia Mendizabal who has accepted a position at Eastwood Elementary.

We would like to take a moment and shine the spotlight on two incredible BC volunteers, Irene Kim and Rhea Weiss. Have you noticed all of our awesome and cool new spirit wear?!? Irene and Rhea are our Spirit Wear co-chairs who rolled out all of our new BC gear this year. We are appreciative of volunteers like Irene and Rhea, who not only take on big jobs like spirit wear, but also volunteer their time in the classroom and at various BC events. Enjoy getting to know these amazing moms more.

1) What are your kids names, grades and teachers?

IK:  Brayden Kim (5th grade – Derby) and Olivia Kim (1st grade – Hinkle)  RW: Emeline: first grade with Mrs. Oehlman, Matilyn: pre-k and Devin: 1 year old

2) What is your favorite thing about Bonita Canyon?

IK:  The small close-knit community of families and teachers that we have make this school feel very warm and special. RW: The families and friends my husband and I have made as well as the friends my children have made thus far. I look forward to meeting even more people throughout the years we attend Bonita Canyon.

3) The new BC Spirit Wear is amazing! Do you have any other positions on the PTA?

IK:  I’m also in charge of the Multicultural Club this year.  RW: No other position, just a member :).

4) Does your family have a favorite tv show?

IK:  Dodger baseball games and Shark Tank  RW: Football!

5) Please share something that your family likes to do together?

IK:  Bike riding together and trying new restaurants  RW: Going to Disneyland.

6) Does your family have any pets?

IK:  Lots of bunnies, puppies, bears, penguins and unicorns…. all of the stuffed variety  RW: A dog named, Chloe

7) What do you do when that kids are at school?

IK:  I work full-time as an attorney at a large law firm.  RW: I hang out with my 4 year old and 1 year olds. We like to go to the park, swimming, the gym, the library…

8) Do you have a recipe that your family loves when you make it?

IK:  Creamed corn and butternut squash cake  RW: Stuffed bell peppers

9) Is there anything about you that you think BC Families would be surprised to know?

IK:  I used to have a photographic memory when it came to numbers, but after 2 kids, I can barely remember my own phone number.  RW:I played softball as a pitcher for over 10 years and just got back in to it last year by joining an Irvine co-ed slow pitch team.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we would like to take a moment and spotlight two teachers who we are very thankful to have at Bonita Canyon. Miss Porter is a 4th grade teacher and Miss Kreher is a 6th grade teacher at BC. Miss Porter and Miss Kreher go above and beyond for BC. Not only do they make learning fun in their classrooms, but they also guide and mentor our Student Council. We appreciate all Miss Porter and Miss Kreher do for our school! Have fun getting to know these incredible teachers better!

1) How long have you been at Bonita Canyon?
SP:  This is my third year at Bonita Canyon.  RK:  This is my 2nd year at Bonita Canyon. 

2) What is your favorite thing about Bonita Canyon?
SP:  My favorite thing about Bonita Canyon is how tight knit our community of staff, parents, and kids are. I love coming to BC each day and not having it feel like work because of the relationships I have with people here.  RK: My favorite thing about Bonita Canyon is the sense of community on campus. Between the great staff and amazing families, I have felt part of the BC family since I was hired. 

3) You just got back from joining the 6th graders on their trip to CIMI, anything special you would like to share?
SP:  This was my second time joining the 6th grade team at CIMI, and I was especially excited this time because this year’s 6th graders are my first group of students ever!! I am so thankful to have had the chance to spend an adventure-filled week with them and to see how they’ve grown.  RK: CIMI was an amazing time. There is so much bonding that occurs while at CIMI. It truly is the field trip of a lifetime. I think one of my favorite moments was the night hike. At camp, you can see so many stars in the sky. It was amazing to see a bunch of constellations and even part of the Milky Way. 

4) What is your favorite book?
SP:  As a child, I really enjoyed reading the Harry Potter series. Currently, I am absolutely loving anything by Liane Moriarty. I’m reading “The Hypnotist’s Love Story” right now.  RK: My favorite book is Wonder by RJ Palacio. It’s an amazing story about diversity. I can’t wait to see the movie! 

5) What is your favorite tv show?
SP:  There are so many! Great British Baking Show, Chopped, Stranger Things to name a few!  RK: My favorite TV show is This is Us. It pretty much always leaves me in tears, but I can’t get enough of it! 

6) What is your favorite form of exercise?
SP:  I joined Orangetheory not too long ago and crazy about it! Other than that, I enjoy playing tennis and bouldering.  RK: I enjoy doing yoga and pilates when I have time. Anything that helps to relax is a plus! 

7) What was the best gift someone ever gave you?
SP:  I love anything handmade. I especially love cards. I’ve kept pretty much every card I’ve ever received since I was a child!  RK: For my high school graduation, my grandparents gave me a diamond ring which has been in my family for many generations. I treasure this gift the most. 

8) Do you have a favorite quote?
SP:  I don’t have a favorite quote, but one that comes to mind is “just keep swimming” from Finding Nemo, one of my favorite movies growing up!  RK: My favorite quote is, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” This quote really just reminds me to live in the moment and enjoy life! 

9) What chore do you absolutely dislike doing?
SP:  I really dislike cleaning out my fridge and taking out the trash.  RK: I hate doing the dishes! I pretty much will do anything to avoid it. Other than that I usually enjoy organizing and cleaning. 

10) Is there anything about you that you think BC Families would be surprised to know?
SP:  BC Families might be surprised to know that I love baking for my fellow staff! I can bake a mean ginger creme brûlée and chocolate espresso lava cake!  RK:  BC families may be surprised to know that I have biked down a volcano in Hawaii. I am a huge adventure seeker and enjoy doing anything that gets my adrenaline going!

Bonita Canyon School Crossing Guard, Jackie Connolly

Jackie loves to visit the theater for plays and movies, and enjoys travelling (especially on cruises). She also enjoys reading and doing crossword puzzles.

Jackie is so happy to be a part of the Bonita Canyon School Community!

We wish her a “Happy Birthday” on Thursday, October 5!

Every so often, we like to shine the spotlight on BC staff members who make our school extra special. As the school year gets off to a wonderful start, we hope you have had a chance to meet our new (but not new at all) front office clerk, Mrs. Hickok. Many of you already know how helpful, warm, and caring Mrs. Hickok is, but did you also know that she has been a part of our BC family for OVER 20 YEARS?! Some of you are familiar with Mrs. Hickok, as she has worked in our classrooms and library for the past several years. However, we are happy to welcome Mrs. Hickok to her new role as the front office clerk! We are truly lucky to have an amazing person greet everyone who comes into the office with her beautiful smile and positive energy!

I’ve been working at BC for 14 years, first in the health office, then the classroom and library, and now in the front office. But before I worked here, I was a BC parent. Both of my girls, now 26 and 19, attended K-6 at BC. all this to say, I’ve been a part of the BC family for more than 20 years! Yay!
This summer I went with my family to Kaua’i and we went on a pontoon boat ride up the Na Pali coast where we saw beautiful lush cliffs, sea caves, and a huge school of spinner dolphins. We also did some snorkeling. I love the warm Hawaiian water. It was amazing and super fun!
My favorite thing about BC is the sense of family that you feel here. It’s a place where you make lifelong friendships whether you’re a student, a parent, teacher, or staff. But the reason why I’m here is that I love the children. … I can’t imagine a better place to be!
My favorite book is probably Memoirs of a Geisha. I loved learning about that culture and the author made me feel like I was in Kyoto, Japan experiencing it firsthand.
My favorite classic TV show is I Love Lucy. Lucy reminds me of my mom: crazy, funny, and full of spunk! Some recent favorites are Downton Abbey, The Crown, and Dancing with the Stars!
My favorite form of exercise is walking my dogs. My husband and I walk four miles a day with our two pups, Baxter and Sadie. I also love all kinds of dancing. I’ve been dancing since I was a little girl and can’t help moving my body to the music.
For me the best gifts I’ve ever received are the handmade ones from my girls. The handprint wreaths from when they were both in 1st grade have a special place in my heart because it reminds me of when they were little and how much they’ve grown.
I don’t think I have a favorite quote but if I had to choose one, maybe Nike’s “Just Do It.” I don’t like to put things off for another day…I’m kind of a mover and a shaker and like to be on top of things.
My least favorite chore is cleaning the house. But I love getting outside and working on the garden.
Some newer BC families might be surprised to learn that I am a competitive hula dancer. I’ve competed with my halau (hula school) for more than 15 years and we’ve won several competitions.